Random Musings of an Old Man, Blessed
26
Dec
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527628_4575651119489_1764789307_n 602464_4640892510483_1957678704_nold_typewriter_MODIFIED I will soon, (this weekend as a matter of fact), be 64 years old. That means that I have experienced 64 Christmas days in my lifetime. The first three or four I probably don’t remember, or at least not much. That leaves me 60 Christmas Days that I could possibly remember something about. As hard as I try, I cannot remember a lot of good about Christmas last year. Our family has experienced quite a few Christmas holidays dealing with sickness, serious illnesses, and deaths. The experience of last year had to be the most heart-wrenching of my entire memory of Christmas, although we have been at a funeral home, and conducting a funeral on more than one occasion. Last year, in early fall, our granddaughter, Karmen was diagnosed with cancer. In my entire life, I have never felt so helpless. I had never felt like I had totally failed one of my kids or Grandkids until that time. I was strong. I had been involved in EMS for 40+ years and I had seen a lot. My wife and kids always said I had a heart of stone, but I didn’t. I was a genius at hiding my feelings, rationalizing life’s challenges and confronting the disappointment of injuries and illnesses, but not this time. I was devastated. Then I saw the most remarkable thing. I saw the courage and resolve of a 15 year old, who when confronted with the knowledge that she was stricken with a serious physical ailment, revealed a more valiant attitude than has been seen in any adult. Karmen refused to cry. She refused to have anyone around her cry. She maintained a positive attitude and amazed all of the nursing staff and the doctors. She amazed all of her family; her Mom and Dad, her grandparents, and everyone, including me. She endured surgery, never complaining. She suffered through her chemo treatments, not complaining. She experienced the loss of her hair. Sometimes she would wear a wig, and sometimes not. We watched her as she used her situation to encourage other children and teens in her same situation. To this day she still encourages those who need her. She has now been declared ‘cancer free’. No, last Christmas was difficult to find the joy. It was difficult to remain strong and for once in my life I had to hold on to the strength of a 15 year old teen, when my own strength failed me. I did find the best of last Christmas, and I am truly blessed.
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
